Dr. Janika Reineccius
Position: Postdoctoral Researcher
Seestraße 15
18119 Rostock
Germany
Expertise
Microplastics
My scientific expertise focuses on the investigation of microplastics in the marine environment and their behavior across different environmental compartments. A particular focus of my work is the development and optimization of analytical detection methods, including the quantitative determination of microplastics in sediment traps and other complex environmental samples using Raman spectroscopy and µFTIR. In addition, I work on the detection and characterization of microplastics in water, sediment, and atmospheric samples from various marine regions. Another central area of my research is the study of ageing and weathering processes to better understand how microplastics change physically and chemically in the environment. The aim of my work is to improve our understanding of the transport pathways, persistence, and environmental impacts of microplastics in the ocean.
Organic Pollutants
Another focus of my research is the analysis of long-term datasets on persistent organic pollutants such as PCB, DDT, and HCB in the Baltic Sea, as well as estrogens in the oceans. Based on these analyses, I investigate long-term temporal trends, distribution patterns, and potential changes of these persistent contaminants within the marine system.
Drinking Water Treatment
Before joining the IOW, I worked extensively on methods for drinking water treatment and investigated potential by-products using IC, XRD, and AAS.
Access my profiles here:
CV
Since 10/2023: Postdoctoral Researcher
IOW – Department of Marine Chemistry – Group of Biophysical Interactions
11/2019 – 07/2023: Ph.D. in Chemistry
University of Rostock, carried out at IOW – Department of Marine Chemistry – Group of Biophysical Interactions
10/2018 – 11/2019: Research Associate
IOW – Department of Marine Chemistry – Group of Biophysical Interactions
10/2016 – 10/2018: M.Sc. in Chemistry
University of Rostock, carried out at IOW – Department of Marine Chemistry – Group of Biophysical Interactions
10/2013 – 09/2016: B.Sc. in Chemistry with Materials Science
HS Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences – Department of Analytical Chemistry – MBF Project OzonArray
Publications
2025
- Reineccius, J., M. Zhou, I. Hand, D. E. Schulz-Bull and J. J. Waniek (2025). Temporal and spatial distribution of chlorinated hydrocarbons in surface sediments of the Baltic Sea and Skagerrak over the past 30 years. Sci. Total Environ. 982: 179647, doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179647
2024
- Reineccius, J. and J. J. Waniek (2024). Critical reassessment of microplastic abundances in the marine environment. Sci. Total Environ. 954: 176449, doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176449
- Reineccius, J., M. Heck and J. J. Waniek (2024). Microplastic Particles and Fibers in Seasonal Ice of the Northern Baltic Sea. Toxics 12: 542, doi: 10.3390/toxics12080542
2023
- Reineccius, J., M. Schönke and J. J. Waniek (2023). Abiotic long-term simulation of microplastic weathering pathways under different aqueous conditions. Environ. Sci. Technol. 57: 963-975, doi: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05746
2022
- Reineccius, J. and J. J. Waniek (2022). First long-term evidence of microplastic pollution in the deep subtropical Northeast Atlantic. Environ. Poll. 305: 119302, doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119302
2021
- Reineccius, J., J. Bresien and J. J. Waniek (2021). Separation of microplastics from mass-limited samples by an effective adsorption technique. Sci. Total Environ. 788: 147881, doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147881
2020
- Reineccius, J., J.-S. Appelt, T. Hinrichs, D. Kaiser, J. Stern, R. D. Prien and J. J. Waniek (2020). Abundance and characteristics of microfibers detected in sediment trap material from the deep subtropical North Atlantic Ocean. Sci. Total Environ. 738: 140354, doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140354